Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A New Cup of Bead Soup -- Spirited Earth

The Cup of Bead Soup premise is simple -- I send money to an artist and they send me beads, sight unseen, for me to design with. This way, I hope to push myself outside of my comfort zone, experience new processes, and introduce you to wonderful bead artisans!

So without further ado, let's see what Nan sent me.

I love these ocean pieces! The blue one with the shell and starfish on it is a bead, and I have a pretty good idea what I'll do with that one. The other pendants will really appeal to my customers, as I live near the ocean -- now what to do to do them justice?

Nan's work is both rustic and refined, with organic colors and shading and nature themes. The top two pendants are really going to stretch my skills -- I don't know what I will do yet to bring out the subtle ombre shading. The bee bead (say that reeeeealy fast three times!) will get used fast, as will the bird pendant. I've got some ideas right off the bat!

There's major "squee" factor here! Holy smokes. The flower pendant for some reason reminds me of vintage crockery -- might have to work some vintage beads into that one. The butterfly moth is also a favorite. I need to think of something unique for this lovely pendant. And the heart -- I have a special idea for that one. SUCH a gorgeous, placid color. In fact, I'm thinking of taking it to the paint store and having them match it for my bathroom.

And finally, a stash of organic accent beads. And just as I typed that, I got an idea. Got to love when that happens.

Well, Lori, ideas surely pop into your head awfully quick! Must be all the bead soup you eat!! Such a marvelous collection to work with, no wonder it's stimulating. And lucky you, living by the ocean, that must be your secret, the salt air. Not available in Wisconsin. I'll be back to see what's developing. Such a great idea!

Wonderful lot. I would like to have them all! The cuppa-bead-soup is such an excellent project Lori. A pleassure to follow.

That light blue-ish heart caght my attention too. And definately a perfect bathroom colour. One of the most beautiful bathrooms I ever saw had that excact colour. A little darker only. All tiled. Done at the beginning of the last century in one of the most posh addresses in central Stockholm. Well worn now. True shabby chic. The tiles' colour wonderfully slightly "uneven", already in the manufacturing. Probably handmade. When I saw it the first time, I knew I wanted to have a bathroom like that one day. It was Mark, now my husband, who got to rent a room in that flat. When he first came here as an exchange student from England. Yes that's where we met, in Art and Design collage.

This comment ended up almost as long as a short story ...And I wish to come back to that bathroom. Bless it hasn't been modernized ever over the years.

I just love Nan's work...her shop is full of beautiful pieces that sell out quickly! The muted colors are gorgeous. And I especially love that bowl of accent beads...just want to grab them up and savor them.